Orange Democratic Movement insiders blame the storm on Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyattas overture to Ruto for a Kalenjin-Kikuyu Alliance.
Disguised as the solution to perennial ethnic-clashes between the two vast communities, one of which is solidly behind ODM, an Uhuru-Ruto alliance is being viewed as a product of shared fears and shared interests.
There is perception both have a high stake in 2012 and whereas Uhuru feels Raila sabotaged him in the 2002 elections by leading a mass walkout from the party, Ruto also is said to be uncomfortable with Raila who he sees as again going to pick on Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi as running-mate in 2012, unless they all run for the top seat.
There are those who see in the tussle, and talk of Uhurus silent entry into the fray, an alliance against President Kibaki and Railas support for a local tribunal to try post-election violence suspects.
Ruto is said to detest Railas push for a local tribunal, against his own support for The Hague option, because of the belief that the former could take in many of his supporters while The Hague can only handle a few cases a year and takes long to complete trials.
Both leaders have had to defend themselves against claims their names could be on Justice Phillip Wakis list of those who should bear the greatest responsibility for post-election violence.
They also are youthful and their associates say they have an eye on the presidency in 2012, but their fear is the envelope Justice Waki gave Chief Mediator Dr Kofi Annan, on who should go to The Hague or face a local tribunal, could be used to frustrate their political ambitions.
Kamukunji MP Simon said: “The old guard wants to nail Ruto and Uhuru Ruto has realised he is comfortable whichever side he takes. He has talked to Uhuru about their shared interest at length but there is not yet a concrete agreement arrived at.
On Sunday Mbugua said: “On one hand we are trying to deal with the problem of the old guard. We want Raila, Prof George Saitoti (Internal security minister) and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka out of the political way come 2012. It will be a generational change and we are making it early.”
Squeezed out
He boasted: “We have squeezed (former Justice minister) Martha Kaura out of the political equation. And the K-K alliance is still brewing as we negotiate with other communities to strengthen the political alliance.”
Another Uhuru ally former Gatanga MP David Murathe, says: “Uhuru has no interest in ODM I do not see any future in any deal with Ruto. We are not in the game of alliances just yet.”
Murathe added Uhurus only interest is to see normalcy return to the Rift Valley and that there is harmony among the members of the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities, who spokesmen, he said, are Uhuru and Ruto.
“If you see me talkingit is Uhuru doing so and if you hear Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny speaking you know he is voicing the Ruto axis”, Mbugua added.
He went on: “But Ruto himself is ripe for the presidency. He can make it on his own but can you imagine the Uhuru-Ruto combination? It brings numbers to the table.”
But a minister from the Rift Valley argued Rutos was a risky gamble.
“It shocks and hurts when you ask and are told the main link between us and Uhuru is Mbugua. Who is he among members of Kikuyu community? I would understand if we are talking, say, to Mr John Michuki, Mr Peter Kenneth or Mr Njenga Karume, he added.
Insiders sympathetic to ODM as a party of their dream that could still rise up from the ashes of 2002 messy elections, however, see Uhuru-Raila reunion as a scheme to finish off the party ahead of 2012. “Ruto is selfish, when he clashes with Raila he makes it a Kalenjin affair. He has thought out this on his own and has not even let us discuss it with our people, said a minister from ODM.
Insisting he did not want to be quoted as it could aggravate the divisions in the party, the minister added: “Ruto is using young and inexperienced Kalenjin politicians because they are gullible. We are experienced with Central Kenya politicians and know that it is them who started off this scheme. We shall be the losers if we go this way.
Weak point
He cautioned: “We are letting our opponent know we have a bad eye before the war starts. We are exposing ourselves and if we go this way, we shall have neither Raila or Uhuru.
ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo dismissed Rutos claims that Rift Valley was short-changed: “When former President Moi was in power there was only one Kipsigis minister and one Nandi. Now Nandis have three and Kipsigis one. Why didnt they cry then?” Jakoyo asked.
“I am angry because the PM cannot even sleep because of some Kalenjin MPs. The budgetary allocation for Ministry of Agriculture and that of Roads alone constitutes about 62 per cent of the entire money allocated to ODM ministries,” Jakoyo explained.
“Look at the PMs office allocationit is a paltry Sh1.5 billion, 10 per cent of what Ruto has alongside 29 parastatals. Who should be crying about being short-changed?” Jakoyo asked.
“We want to be told in clear terms where Raila has gone wrong so that he can apologise to the Kalenjins instead of blackmailing him,” he added.
The Standard
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